2018 Draft...way too early talk

[SteelersPride]

2/28: Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said he wouldn't rule out taking a quarterback at No. 28 overall. - Aditi Kinkhabwala, NFL NetworkBen Roethlisberger said he wants to play for three more years, but he could always change his mind again, so it makes sense for the Steelers to keep their options open. I have them taking Lamar Jackson in my 2018 NFL Mock Draft. -Walter

2/27: "I'm told the Steelers already have started doing their draft due diligence on Boise State LB Leighton Vander Esch, whom analysts are pegging to the Steelers at No. 28 overall." - Jeremy Fowler, ESPNVander Esch is a late first-round prospect, so he would make sense for the Steelers at No. 28, as Pittsburgh needs to fill Ryan Shazier's void. -Walter


Read more: NFL Rumors

Read more at NFL Rumors

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

2/28: Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said he wouldn't rule out taking a quarterback at No. 28 overall. - Aditi Kinkhabwala, NFL NetworkBen Roethlisberger said he wants to play for three more years, but he could always change his mind again, so it makes sense for the Steelers to keep their options open. I have them taking Lamar Jackson in my 2018 NFL Mock Draft. -Walter

2/27: "I'm told the Steelers already have started doing their draft due diligence on Boise State LB Leighton Vander Esch, whom analysts are pegging to the Steelers at No. 28 overall." - Jeremy Fowler, ESPNVander Esch is a late first-round prospect, so he would make sense for the Steelers at No. 28, as Pittsburgh needs to fill Ryan Shazier's void. -Walter


Read more: NFL Rumors

Read more at NFL Rumors

Apparently Fowler hasn’t been doing his homework. After Art’s comments regarding “not wanting to acquire a backup when they have Landry” and Colbert’s comment regarding “no impactful ILBs in this draft” you would assume these media tidbits are null. I think Colbert is viewing Vander Esch as a 2nd rounder.

 

[SteelersPride]

Apparently Fowler hasn’t been doing his homework. After Art’s comments regarding “not wanting to acquire a backup when they have Landry” and Colbert’s comment regarding “no impactful ILBs in this draft” you would assume these media tidbits are null. I think Colbert is viewing Vander Esch as a 2nd rounder.

perhaps, but hes gonna freak out at the draft and boost his stock

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

perhaps, but hes gonna freak out at the draft and boost his stock

Saw Mayock’s rankings this morning. He had Vander Esch as his 3rd best ILB ahead of Rahsaan Evans.

He also had Jessie Bates as his 4th best Safety! I knew that kid was going to launch up the draft boards. But ranking him ahead of Justin Reid is ludicrous.

 

[SteelersPride]

everything we think we know will change with the combine, then everything we think we know leading up to the draft will chgange when we see the actual picks and guys slide, and fly up boards

Saw Mayock’s rankings this morning. He had Vander Esch as his 3rd best ILB ahead of Rahsaan Evans.

He also had Jessie Bates as his 4th best Safety! I knew that kid was going to launch up the draft boards. But ranking him ahead of Justin Reid is ludicrous.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Apparently Fowler hasn’t been doing his homework. After Art’s comments regarding “not wanting to acquire a backup when they have Landry” and Colbert’s comment regarding “no impactful ILBs in this draft” you would assume these media tidbits are null. I think Colbert is viewing Vander Esch as a 2nd rounder.

I haven't followed much of the combine yet, but if Vander Esch is <5 secs in the 40, he might go late 1st...but if Colbert thinks 2nd rd...he probably knows he won't be there at 60 most likely.

Given Colbert's comments on the class...I'm not expecting him to run 4.8 or anything....maybe he is there @ 60.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

everything we think we know will change with the combine, then everything we think we know leading up to the draft will chgange when we see the actual picks and guys slide, and fly up boards

I'll check the NFL site to see who has done what...I know QBs and TEs were on when I was up about 3A this morning.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Today is LBs, and Monday is DBs.

So by end of today, we'll know what the LBs did.

 

[Yo Tee]

Jerome Baker, LB from Ohio State ran a 4.53 40. Best of the 4 that have run it as of right now. Projected to go in the 2nd or 3rd.

 

[Yo Tee]

Malik Jefferson, LB from Texas, 27 reps, 2nd best out of 25 LBs to do that event. Vander Esch does 20. Jerome Baker does 22.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Has Evans or Smith done anything yet? Not seeing any stats?

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Formal/Informal Meetings so far:

QBs:
Louisville - Lamar Jackson
Oklahoma St - Mason Rudolph

TEs:
Indiana - Ian Thomas
Penn State - Mike Gesicki
South Dakota St - Dallas Goedert
Washington - Will Dissly
Wisconsin - Troy Fumagalli

WRs:
Ok St - James Washington

LBs:
Alabama - ILB Rashaan Evans
Alabama - ILB Shaun Dion Hamilton
BSU - ILB Leighton Vander Esch
OSU - ILB Jerome Baker
Texas - ILB Malik Jefferson (informal, but getting conflicting reports. Some say he has, others say he hasn't)

DL:
Alabama - DT Da'Ron Payne
FSU - DT Derrick Nnadi
SFU - DT Deadrin Senat (Jon Ledyard reports he had a "fantastic meeting w/ Steelers. Fairly similar to Javon Hargrave. Likely mid round pick I really like, confident but humble guy")
Stanford - DT Harrison Phillips

S:
Alabama - SS Ronnie Harrison (schedule for formal meeting tonight)
Alabama - FS Minkah Fitzpatrick (very informal "train station" meeting, per Kaboly)


I'll try to update this list to include all meetings from combine, pro-days, and pre-draft visits.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Formal/Informal Meetings so far:

QBs:
Louisville - Lamar Jackson
Oklahoma St - Mason Rudolph

TEs:
Indiana - Ian Thomas
Penn State - Mike Gesicki
South Dakota St - Dallas Goedert
Washington - Will Dissly
Wisconsin - Troy Fumagalli

WRs:
Ok St - James Washington

LBs:
Alabama - ILB Rashaan Evans
Alabama - ILB Shaun Dion Hamilton
BSU - ILB Leighton Vander Esch
OSU - ILB Jerome Baker
Texas - ILB Malik Jefferson (informal, but getting conflicting reports. Some say he has, others say he hasn't)

DL:
Alabama - DT Da'Ron Payne
FSU - DT Derrick Nnadi
SFU - DT Deadrin Senat (Jon Ledyard reports he had a "fantastic meeting w/ Steelers. Fairly similar to Javon Hargrave. Likely mid round pick I really like, confident but humble guy")
Stanford - DT Harrison Phillips

S:
Alabama - SS Ronnie Harrison (schedule for formal meeting tonight)
Alabama - FS Minkah Fitzpatrick (very informal "train station" meeting, per Kaboly)


I'll try to update this list to include all meetings from combine, pro-days, and pre-draft visits.

Missed a few

TE:
ND - Durham Smythe

S:
Stanford - Justin Reid

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Exactly what they need!!!!! @ATL96Steeler

 

[SteelersPride]

WalterFootball.com: 2018 NFL Combine Stock Report - Linebackers

 

[SteelersPride]

Missed a few

TE:
ND - Durham Smythe

S:
Stanford - Justin Reid

notice lamar jackson on ther

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Exactly what they need!!!!! @ATL96Steeler

Yep...another one of those tweener...is he a 1st rounder? I think with Vander Ech running sub 4.8 easily, it will be hard to pass him, but if down to RaShaad Evans or Reid...I might go Reid.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Yep...another one of those tweener...is he a 1st rounder? I think with Vander Ech running sub 4.8 easily, it will be hard to pass him, but if down to RaShaad Evans or Reid...I might go Reid.

Really gotta wait until we see what Colbert does in FA. That would obviously push us in the right direction.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Really gotta wait until we see what Colbert does in FA. That would obviously push us in the right direction.

Yeah, cart before the horse...I'm starting to think Colbert will make a strong push for a ILB in FA and still draft another one.

I see where my small school LB ran okay...4.7ish iirc...
Darius Leonard...should be on the board at 60 for sure, maybe even 92.

 

[Yo Tee]

Donte Jackson and Denzel Ward the fastest amongst DBs right now. 4.32 for both of them. Shaquem Griffin could be a great LB. Stud athlete from a non power 5 conference. Vander Esch was not impressive during the combine. Tremaine Edmunds was pretty decent. Just don't really see him available at 28. Big Jerome Baker fan now too. Could be a pretty decent 2nd round choice. Right now I want Justin Reid or Derwin James. At 28, James won't be there, but Reid might.